The claim for service connection for a low back disability, including right sacroiliac joint degenerative joint disease, has been reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for recurrent sleep disability, to include obstructive sleep apnea, is remanded due to insufficient evidence.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not address whether the multiple musculoskeletal disabilities, including the now service-connected lumbosacral spine disabilities, resulted in the Veteran's sedentary lifestyle cited as a cause for obesity.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disability, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 3, 2022
- Citation
- 22019771
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 22019771.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as there are insufficient medical opinions and records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that remand is needed for the Veteran's claims due to duty to assist errors, including clarification of periods of service and obtaining relevant records. The Veteran will be afforded new medical examinations for each claimed disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was denied, and his claims for right knee, left knee, right hand, left hand, GERD, neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss were also denied. The effective date of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted on December 14, 2022.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of right shoulder disability and low back disability due to insufficient evidence.
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